Duolingo English Test Preparation Guide – Full 30-Day Study Plan for 130+ Score
The Duolingo english test (DET) has become one of the most accepted, flexible, and student-friendly English tests for universities in the USA, Europe, Canada, Australia, and beyond. Unlike traditional exams like IELTS and TOEFL, the DET is shorter, adaptive, and can be taken from home—making it especially popular among international students.
But to score high (120–130+), you need a clear understanding of the exam format and a professional preparation approach that covers every skill: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
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| Duolingo English Test preparation guide |
1. What Is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test is an online, AI-driven English proficiency exam used by more than 4500+ universities globally. The test measures four key skills:
- Reading
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
It is adaptive, meaning the difficulty level changes based on your responses. If you answer correctly, the next question becomes harder; if you struggle, the test becomes easier.
Key Features
- Duration: 45–60 minutes
- Score Range: 10–160
- Score Report Time: 48 hours
- Cost: $59 USD
- Mode: Online, from home
2. Why Do Students Prefer DET?
✔ Fast results
Within 48 hours, compared to TOEFL (6 days) or IELTS (13 days).
✔ Affordable
Only $59 compared to $250–$350 for TOEFL/IELTS.
✔ University acceptance
Accepted by top schools like Columbia, NYU, UPenn, Duke, UCLA, and 4000+ others.
✔ Flexible
Take it anytime from home, no test center needed.
✔ Less stressful
Shorter duration and straightforward interface.
3. How the DET Works
The test contains two major sections:
A. Adaptive Test (Graded)
This section evaluates reading, writing, speaking, and listening through different task types.
Adaptive Task Types
- Read and Complete
- Read and Select
- Listen and Select
- Listen and Type
- Interactive Reading
- Interactive Writing
- Read Aloud
- Speak About a Photo
- Speak on a Topic
- Writing Sample (Short + Extended)
- Speaking Sample (Short + Extended)
B. Video Interview & Writing Sample (Ungraded)
Although not scored, universities check these samples during admissions.
Preparation Guide (From Beginner to Advanced)
This preparation strategy is divided into four phases, covering every skill deeply.
Phase 1: Foundation Building (Week 1–2)
Goal: Improve vocabulary, grammar, reading flow, and listening accuracy.
Daily Routine (60–75 mins)
Reading (15 minutes)
- Read short articles on BBC Learning English, NPR, DW, VOA.
- Summarize each article in 3–4 lines.
Listening (15 minutes)
- Use podcasts:
- “6 Minute English”
- “VOA Slow English”
- “ESL Pod”
- Practice repeating sentences exactly (shadowing).
Writing (15 minutes)
Topics to practice:
- “Technology and education”
- “My favorite festival”
- “Why travel is important”
Speaking (15 minutes)
- Speak for 1 minute on simple prompts.
- Record yourself and check grammar and fluency.
Phase 2: Task-Type Mastery (Week 3–4)
Here you practice specific DET question types one by one.
A. Read and Complete
A paragraph appears with missing letters.
Example:
The sc__ntist exp__ored a rem__e island.
How to prepare
- Learn common English word patterns.
- Memorize prefixes & suffixes:
- pre-, inter-, trans-, -tion, -ment, -ance.
B. Read and Select
You must identify real English words.
Example list:
- melodic
- grivol
- transparent
- flornate
- assistant
Preparation Technique
- Increase vocabulary recognition.
- Learn words from academic word lists.
- Practice distinguishing real vs fake words.
C. Listen and Type
You hear a sentence and type it exactly.
Example:
“Students prefer studying online because it offers flexibility.”
How to prepare
- Dictation practice on YouTube.
- Improve listening for accents (American, British).
D. Listen and Select
You hear words and select real ones.
Tip:
Practice with homophones and syllable recognition.
E. Describe Image
You speak for 30 seconds about a picture.
Template:
“This image shows… The main idea is… Additionally… Overall…”
F. Speaking Topic
A 30–90 second speaking task.
Template:
1. Direct answer
2. Reason 1
3. Reason 2
4. Example
5. Closing line
G. Interactive Reading & Writing
Duolingo added these advanced question types recently.
How to prepare:
- Read fast.
- Understand paragraphs quickly.
- Practice writing short responses in 1–2 sentences.
Phase 3: Real DET Simulation (Week 5)
Now you test your skills under exam conditions.
Daily Routine
- 1 Adaptive Practice Test
- 1 Speaking Session (5 prompts)
- 1 Writing Extended Response (70–100 words)
- Vocabulary revision
Phase 4: Final Exam Preparation (Last 7 Days)
Goals:
- Improve speed
- Remove pauses in speaking
- Stop grammar errors
- Practice consistency
Daily Routine (45 minutes):
- 1 sample test
- 1 speaking full round
- 1 extended writing
- Review mistakes
5. Top 15 US Universities Accepting Duolingo (Table)
| Rank | University | Accepts DET? | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University | Yes | 130+ |
| 2 | New York University (NYU) | Yes | 120–130 |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania | Yes | 130+ |
| 4 | Duke University | Yes | 125+ |
| 5 | University of Chicago | Yes | 125+ |
| 6 | Northeastern University | Yes | 120+ |
| 7 | University of Southern California | Yes | 120+ |
| 8 | University of Iowa | Yes | 110+ |
| 9 | University of Utah | Yes | 105+ |
| 10 | Arizona State University | Yes | 105+ |
| 11 | University of Colorado Denver | Yes | 100+ |
| 12 | University of Cincinnati | Yes | 110+ |
| 13 | Kent State University | Yes | 105+ |
| 14 | Oregon State University | Yes | 100+ |
| 15 | University of Alabama | Yes | 110+ |
6. 30-Day Preparation Plan (Day-by-Day)
Day 1–7: Basics
- Reading
- Listening
- Vocabulary
- Short writing
Day 8–14: Grammar + Speaking
- Present / past / future tenses
- Speaking for 60 seconds
- Writing 50–70 words
Day 15–21: Practice Question Types
- Read & complete
- Read & select
- Listen tasks
- Image description
- Interactive writing
Day 22–26: Full Mock Tests
- Time-based practice
- Review errors
Day 27–30: Final Preparation
- Speaking without pauses
- Improve typing speed
- Revise vocabulary
7. Sample Questions (Real Pattern)
A. Read and Complete
The sc__ntist expl__ed the r__ote island to unde__tand its ec__ogy.
Answers: scientist, explored, remote, understand, ecology
B. Listen and Type
(Example audio sentence)
“Online learning has become extremely popular among international students.”
C. Describe the Image
Prompt: A graph showing student enrollment increasing.
Sample answer:
D. Interactive Writing
Prompt:
“Describe a challenge you overcame.”
Answer:
8. Mistakes to Avoid (100% Important)
❌ Speaking too fast
❌ Pausing for long
❌ Overusing difficult vocabulary
❌ Writing very short answers
❌ Ignoring listening practice
❌ Wrong pronunciation (affects score)
9. Official Sample Test Link (Use DAILY)
Official DET Samples:
https://englishtest.duolingo.com/samples
10. FAQs
1. How many attempts are allowed?
Two attempts every 30 days.
2. What is a good score?
110+ is good, 120+ is strong, 130+ is excellent.
3. Is DET accepted in the USA?
Yes, 4500+ institutions—including Ivy League universities.
4. Can I use earphones?
No. Only wired microphones allowed.
5. Can I take the test on mobile?
No, laptop or PC only.
Final Conclusion:
The Duolingo English Test is one of the most student-friendly and globally accepted English exams available today. With the right strategy, consistent practice, and a proper understanding of question types, students can achieve a high score and unlock admissions to top universities around the world. This complete guide—including sample questions, templates, university lists, and a structured study plan—provides everything needed to excel.
If you follow the preparation plan for 30 days, practice all question types, and use the official sample test daily, scoring 120–130+ becomes highly achievable—even for beginners.
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